January

Kesur Singh, a Risaldar Major in the British India Army (25th Cavalry, Frontier Force), is considered the first Sikh settler to arrive in Canada in 1897. Many early Punjabi Sikh pioneers were veterans of colonial regiments that had served the Crown since 1849, when Punjab became part of the British Empire. Kesur Singh was amongst the inaugural group of Sikh soldiers who arrived in Vancouver via the Empress of India.

The Hong Kong Regiment, which included Chinese and Japanese military, was on route to celebrate Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee. Upon return to India, the awestruck men shared vivid tales of a spectacular place called Canada and the bountiful opportunities that lay there inspiring many to follow their path.